BellaBlu designs

We've moved!

2010-01-18T11:25:00.003-06:00

We've been gone for quite some time so head on over to our new site to read about all of the changes. I'll be shutting down this blog very soon so please bookmark our new site & blog!
www.Oliverbludesigns.com

Fall Favorites

2009-10-16T22:40:00.003-05:00

It's finally starting to cool down here in Austin so to celebrate what I hope is the end of sweltering heat, please enjoy some fall inspired picks from around Etsy:

The Wedding Boxwood Wreath by TwoInspireYou ($65):

Orange Lace Wrap Scarf by Boopie Creations ($55):

Windsor Castle and Insect Wing original painting by Art is 3 letters ($40):

Daisy Crazy Magnet Set by Block Party Press ($20):

Glittered Candy Corn Bunch by Painted White by Alice W. ($4.5):

Many Stripes, One Bloom by Mnemosyne ($74):

Purple and Army Green Cluster Headband by Bean and the Sprout ($30):

Fiona Doublet by Jen Jewelry ($68):

Christmas Stockings from Moon Garden Design

2009-10-06T21:04:00.005-05:00

I know I am a little bit biased but check out these adorable Christmas stockings my mom has uploaded to her Etsy shop - Moon Garden Design:

I just think these are the cutest darn things and they will make great Christmas gifts or decorations for the home or office. I think she's going to start making them personalized and I am so excited to be partnering with her on a line of dog stockings! Coming soon!

How fun are these? I love the fabric choices and I can't wait to see what other designs she has coming to the shop. So fun!

Holiday cards

2009-10-05T11:13:00.002-05:00

Slowly but surely I'll be uploading holiday cards and gift tags over the coming week. Several breeds are up now in the Holiday section of the shop and more to come this week!

Coming soon!

2009-10-04T11:43:00.002-05:00

Holiday cards are on their way!

I've been framed

2009-09-28T21:39:00.002-05:00

I had my modern dog magazine article framed at JoAnn's a few weeks ago and it was finally ready for pick-up this evening. I was really happy with the way it turned out and even happier that I managed to get everything level. Only because I was hanging a picture of Martha Stewart did I get out a level and a ruler. Pardon my mess.... I am crafting to serve you better!

Jungle fever

2009-09-28T20:52:00.004-05:00

One of my most loyal customers commissioned some thank you notes for her daughter's jungle-themed birthday party this weekend. Check out the giraffe and elephant designs:

More Blossom Portraiture Art

2009-09-28T11:11:00.003-05:00

I recently had yet another opportunity to work with the talented Suymey Benson of Blossom Portraiture Art and I am thrilled to share the fruits of her labor. I'll be updating my Etsy listings over the next day or so. Thanks to Suymey and her adorable models for this beautiful work!

The Dressy Drooler

2009-09-27T22:59:00.005-05:00

It's been bib mania around here this weekend. I've had so much fun sewing like crazy on these cute little Dressy Drooler bibs. Check out my shop for the full selection - I've got about 20 more designs that I'll be uploading over the next week.

Feeding frenzy

2009-09-20T13:11:00.002-05:00

Happy Sunday! I've been working away on some new bib sets this morning and I've just listed the first set in the shop:

Baby gift set - Bib and two reusbale wipe cloths in bright turquoise and melon prints ($18)

I also listed a new lab set last night:

And last but not least, don't forget about the SAMPLE SALE going on now in my shop! I'll be adding more ready-made items over the course of the next week but the sale won't last long.

Sample Sale going on now in the Etsy shop!

2009-09-19T17:44:00.004-05:00

I've been threatening to hold a sample sale for a few weeks now and it's finally happening! In an attempt to clear some of my existing inventory, I'm offering several ready-made items at reduced prices for a limited time. Visit the SAMPLE SALE section of my Etsy shop and check back over the course of the next week to see what new items I'll be adding. The sale won't last long as I'll soon be clearing out to make room for holiday items.

{All items in the sample sale are brand new -- never worn or washed and not previously sold. Items are only available in the size indicated in this listing and no customization is available.}

Hop on over - New stationery!

2009-09-13T13:25:00.002-05:00

Happy Sunday! It's been a rainy weekend in Austin although I don't think you'll hear too many complaints. After a long, hot drought this summer, the city is busy doing a collective rain dance. I am so glad for the trees and all of our dormant grass.

I've been busy catching up on orders, as usual, and hope you will enjoy this latest set of stationery I've just listed in the shop:

Personalized Leap Frog Notecards - Set of 10 ($15):

Labor Day weekend

2009-09-06T12:54:00.003-05:00

Happy Labor Day weekend! It's been a laborious weekend around here but I feel very accomplished. We finally got to the store to pick out a new mattress and box spring on Friday and it was delivered last night. For two people who love to sleep as much as we do, it's a crying shame we went soooo long before replacing our old set which had to have been at least 18 years old. It was a hand-me-down about 10 years ago from my Aunt Shelley and it was well past its prime. So we replaced it with a new pillow top set and I am pleased to report it was a great night's sleep. The only down side is that I am going to have to get one of those little doggy ladders for the cats because this one is about 10 inches higher than the old set. Old creeky bones Stitch is having a hard time hurling his 17 pounds over the edge!

I am also in the process of doing some serious de-cluttering around here. When I was in Atlanta last month I got lots of new fabrics so I plan to list some new items in the shop - like this new bulldog onesie and burpcloth set:

I also hope to have the start of my (gulp) holiday items up in the shop over the next couple of weeks. I designed my gift tags last night and am going to start on cards today/tomorrow. I can't believe it's still Africa-hot here and I am thinking about Christmas stuff... but if I don't do it now it will never happen. So stay tuned for some fresh, new holiday goodies coming soon! Enjoy the long weekend.

Happy Halloweener

2009-08-30T17:10:00.002-05:00

I know it's still August but the holidays will be here before we know it. Let's begin with Halloween... Happy Halloweener! Dachshund greeting card ($2):

If I don't start now, I'll miss the holiday card season like I did last year. So watch the shop for more holiday goodies coming over the next few weeks. I will once again have gift tags and holiday cards!

TGI Sunday!

2009-08-30T12:36:00.003-05:00

Good gracious, it's been a busy week! I was so relieved to be nearly caught up heading into this past week but how quickly things changed. I was excited that my episode of Martha re-ran but not exactly prepared for the onslaught orders. I am pleased to report that with the exception of three orders that came in on Friday, everything has been sewn/printed, packaged and shipped!

It wasn't all hard work this week. Thursday night Andy and I were finally able to enjoy my birthday gift from June - Wicked! It's been playing here in Austin for the past two weeks and I was so thrilled to finally get to see it. We've been trying to see it in NYC for a couple of years now but it hasn't worked out. So as I soon as I heard it was coming to the Bass Concert Hall on UT campus, we snatched up tickets.

I had heard such unanimous praise from everyone who had seen it and I could not WAIT to see what all the hype was about. I can say with enthusiasm that it lived up to every expectation I had and then some. It was fabulous! We both loved it and did not want to see it end. The music, the set design, the costumes, the acting, the singing... it was beyond fabulous. I highly recommend this show if it comes to your market - you will not be disappointed!

Sundays are my favorite day of the week because there is no pressure to meet the mail! Today I am finishing up my last few orders of the week and getting a little sewing done on some new reusable wipe cloth sets. These sets are a fun way to reduce my fabric stash!

I can't believe we're rounding the corner of Fall and heading into the HOLIDAYS! I've decided to have a sample sale to de-clutter my space of the numerous items I've created over the years but haven't sold. I also have a ton of onesies that were used to decorate the set on my segment of Martha so I'm going to list them all over the coming week in hopes of clearing my work table and several shelves of storage in my closet. So watch the shop for some great deals on ready-made items. Have a great week ahead!

Modern Dog

2009-08-26T14:58:00.003-05:00

Well, I never thought my editorial debut would be in a dog magazine, but I couldn't be more proud to be featured in Modern Dog! I haven't picked up the hard copy magazine yet but I just found my Frenchie bodysuit on their home page! Who knows what will be published but this was a joint feature on my products and the new pet area of marthastewart.com. Exciting!

Martha

2009-08-24T15:40:00.003-05:00

Update: I've been overwhelmed today by the positive feedback and emails regarding my appearance on Martha. Just a couple of comments for those of you who are new to my site/shop:

- I can personalize ANY of the items you see in my shop with any breed. There is no breed too obscure. If it exists, I can capture it in fabric or on stationery.

- I will have some adorable dachshund Halloween cards up in the shop by early September.

- I will be offering holiday cards and gift tags this year! Check back in late September to order your personalized holiday cards and gift tag with the breed of your choice.

Thanks again for stopping by!
-Christy

I had no idea my episode of Martha would re-re-run for a third time... so I was pleasantly surprised to learn I was syndicate once again. Seems like only yesterday that I was making my way to the Big Apple for the show.

Check out last year's post from the original re-run.

Thanks to all of my great customers who found me from Martha's site. Check back later this fall for more information on an upcoming article featuring the new pet area of marthastewart.com and my dog onesies.

New dachshund wall panels

2009-08-23T19:32:00.002-05:00

I know I was just complaining about having waaay too much fabric but I couldn't help myself when I saw this gorgeous watercolor floral print while out shopping this afternoon. I knew it would make the most beautiful wall panels:

Dachshund wall hanging - Set of two 8 x 10 panels:

The print reminds me of artist Kim Parker's work, and I have always been a huge fan of her paintings and textiles. No wonder I was drawn to this fabric.

Wipe out

2009-08-23T16:59:00.003-05:00

I have more fabric than I will ever know what to do with so I am trying to come up with some imaginative ways to clear out some of my stash.

Idea #1: These cute little reusable wipes. Measuring about 8.5" square, these are the perfect wipe-all for just about any surface. They'd be great in the diaper bag or used as a stylish wash cloth. Since I don't have kids I plan on using them for dust rags (I mean, hey - if I have to clean I might as well do it in style!).

Set of 3, $12 in my Etsy shop:

More to come as I clear out my stash!

New week, new goods

2009-08-16T16:04:00.004-05:00

It's been a busy weekend around here! I had a nice lunch at Pei Wei with my friend Kristin and her adorable baby Grant this afternoon. I also managed to get my virtual booth set up at the new Poppytalk handmade market which opens tomorrow. Don't forget to check it out!

I've listed several new things in the shop including:

Pug bodysuit and pant set in flourish medallion print:

Burp cloth set in cherry and lime polka dot prints:

Just hatched birth announcement in light blue and white polka dots:

Just hatched birth announcement in pink and white polka dots:

Pug bodysuit and burp cloth set:

I still have so many new fabrics and can't wait to get more goodies listed in the shop over the next week or so.

New fabrics

2009-08-15T13:59:00.003-05:00

Long time, no blog! I had a great trip to Atlanta last weekend where I surprised my dear friend Shane at her baby shower. It was a lovely jungle-themed shower and it was so great to catch up with old friends on such a festive occasion. While I was in Atlanta my mom took me to the most amazing fabric store ever and I can't wait to get started adding new things to the shop. Here is a new pug bodysuit - isn't the fabric delicious?

More to come!

New Bunny Hop invitations

2009-08-01T15:42:00.002-05:00

I've been hard at work on some new invitation designs -- check 'em! So far I've listed the bunny hop invites in chocolate, tropical green and aqua. More to come!

Bunny hop stationery

2009-07-26T14:15:00.004-05:00

Happy Sunday! It's been a productive weekend around here - hot, but productive. Yesterday I visited the Austin Farmer's Market with my friend Meredith and her adorable 2-year old son Silas. I can't believe I've lived here 7 years and have never been! It was a warm July morning but we had a great time perusing the stalls of local farmers and vendors. We also checked out the baby store Wee in Austin's Second Street District - Really cute stuff and I scored some neat baby gifts for my friend Shane's upcoming shower in Atlanta.

Today I am finally getting around to listing some new stationery I've had in the works for a couple of weeks. Check out this new set of ten personalized gingham bunny notecards:

I've set them up so you can pick the color for your ink/envelopes. They're so cute!

I'm so excited to once again be featured in the Poppytalk Handmade market! My "virtual booth" will be up mid-August through January 2010. It will rotate with each new monthly theme. Jan & Earl, the Poppytalk editors, are so fabulous to work with and I feel honored to be included. More to come when I am all set up in the next market...

bambino goodies

2009-07-21T19:16:00.003-05:00

After the long and stressful day I had trying to decide how to rename my ~~onesies~~ one-piece bodysuits, I was delighted to receive a note from Lucy at bambino goodies. She featured my wiener dog one-piece body suit in her collection of hot trends: dachshunds. She's got some great wiener dog items so check the adorable site (it's the biggest blog/site of its kind in the UK and in the top 50 of baby sites visited in the UK!).

I've also got somethign cooking with another dog magazine but I'll save that tidbit til I know it's a done-deal. I'd better get to work as the editor needs updated photos by the morning... yikes!

What's in a name? A lot.

2009-07-21T19:09:00.003-05:00

Quick update... I will now be selling baby "one-pieces," "bodysuits," "rompers," and similar such pseudonyms. But not Onesies®, which I was informed this morning is a name that belongs exclusively to Gerber (and they don't want to share). So sorry for the confusion and think twice next time you call that thing you blow your nose with a "Kleenex®" -- it's probably safer to call it a facial tissue ;)

Quick update: Etsy has now removed the "Onesies®" sub category from their Children/Baby section. So if you're shopping for babies (and I don't know why you would want to go further than my shop ;) you can now find all Onesies®-inspired items under the Bodysuit section.

Treasure trove of whimsy

2009-07-20T15:04:00.003-05:00

Thanks so much to Lauren from Artistique who has featured my new Bunny hop shortall romper in her lovely treasury!

New Bunny Hop onesie

2009-07-18T11:31:00.003-05:00

Spring is a distant memory here in Austin but I can't help but think of cooler, fresher times with this new bunny hop onesie:

The gal I worked with on Martha recently had an adorable baby girl named Avery so I'm sending her a few goodies. She had a request for a bunny onesie and I love this little design.

I am having a hard time getting going this morning (afternoon?) so I hope my triple latte kicks in pretty soon. Lots of orders to fill and feels like it's going to be another scorcher here in Austin. I suppose I should cancel my 10 mile run ;)

2,000 sales!

2009-07-16T11:20:00.002-05:00

It's been a wild ride since I set up shop two years ago. My first sale was on June 23, 2007 and my, how things have changed. It seems like only yesterday that I reached the 1,000 sale mark but today I am thrilled to celebrate another Etsy milestone - 2,000 sales! It's been a serious labor of love but not a day goes by that I don't stop and reflect with gratitude. I've met so many amazing people and I look forward to all that lies ahead.

Little feet

2009-07-15T10:24:00.003-05:00

Happy Hump Day!

I have several pregnant friends at the moment and I've been shopping around for gifts. I just can't get enough of all of the adorable handmade baby shoes on Etsy. Some of these are rather intricate designs -- precious!

Violets are Blue - Brown Damask Mary Janes by Gracious May ($30.99:

Organic Baby Boots. Leaf Green by Infusion ($34):

Red Barn Daisy - Baby booties mary janes by Barr-etzz ($23.50):

Lavender Green Tea Baby Booties by Pleasantly Plump Knits ($25):

Soft felted wool baby shoes/slippers by Katt Paws ($14):

Wool Baby slippers, Blue by Handknit Hugs ($16):

Blossom Portaiture Art

2009-07-13T15:39:00.002-05:00

I am always amazed at the "inquiries" I get through my online business. Some of them are rather odd solicitations but every now and again I meet some really incredible people. Recently I was contacted by the very talented Suymey Benson of Blossom Portraiture Art in Dallas and I thrilled to reveal the results of our partnership. She recently employed her absolutely adorable models to showcase some of my creations and I could not be more thrilled with her work. Suymey was so professional and responsive (and patient with me as it took weeks - maybe even a month?- to send her all of my samples).

I just love, love, love how Suymey styled all of these shots. Her little models are precious and I am so proud to see them in my creations. Check out my Etsy shop to see the rest of the shots and read Suymey's blog for more information on her work. I highly recommend Blossom Portraiture Art for all of your personal or commercial photography needs!

I plan to send her more stuff in August so check back to see more of her great work in my shop later this summer!

More wall panels

2009-07-11T16:03:00.002-05:00

More new wall panels are up in the shop:

Personalized black lab wall panel:

Lab appliqued wall panel in blue plaid:

New black lab wall panel

2009-07-11T12:52:00.003-05:00

It's the weekend - yippee! Yesterday we had a new a/c system installed and it could not have come soon enough. Our old system was on its last leg and we had all fingers crossed that it would hold on until they could get the new unit installed. It's so quiet and cool! Probably not what we would have chosen to spend the money on, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

I've been working on some new wall panels and just got this one listed with the two black labs:

More to come later today...I'd better get to work!

Pillow talk

2009-07-07T21:04:00.002-05:00

It must be the sheer exhaustion from watching all of the Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) coverage, but I cannot seem to wake up today. It's nearly 9:30 p.m. and I feel like I never really got my day off the ground. Just in time for bed!

While I contemplate whether it's too early to hit the hay, enjoy some of my favorite pillows:

Lovely Blooms no4 - One of a kind hand block stamped pillow by NestaHome ($20):

House Pillow, My lovely dressoir, no2 by LeiLiLaloo ($39):

My English Garden Pillow Cover Collection by Mod Baby ($40 - On sale!):

Appliqued cotton pillow, sassy flowers, natural muslin, No. 22 by Tracy B Designs ($19):

Safari pure silk cushion cover by Be Still ($50):

Coriander Pillow by Norajane ($21):

Twitter Bird by Craftsquatch ($17.99):
Pair of 16" handmade floral pillow covers by Maries Cosy Cushions ($20):

Sweet Letter 'L' Pillow Monogrammed with Pink Buttons by Letter Perfect Designs ($36):

French Rose Linen Pillow by dedeetsyshop ($32):

Splish splash, the carpet's taking a bath

2009-06-13T18:36:00.002-05:00

Last week I heard a dripping noise coming from our furnace (had to verify that it was actually the furnace behind that scary closet door that I don't like to open) but Andy was out of town and convinced me that it was just condensation or something... nothing to be alarmed over. So fast forward to today, and $300 later, we've cleared the blockage in the water lines and removed all of the carpeting and baseboards from the flooded guest room adjacent to our furnace closet.

Thank goodness the water hadn't yet reached our new hardwood floors. Yikes! It was totally by chance that I even noticed the water... I never go in that room but walked in to get something off the bed table and discovered water squishing between my toes. The Mr. Miagi-esque furnace repairman basically told us we're lucky we've made it this far with our 30 year old furnace and that it we don't replace it pronto, we could either drown from the continued leak or die of carbon minoxide poisoning when we use the heat this winter. I think he was exaggerating but we're going to get estimates next week to replace it. No fun!

Oh and did I mention that I have an awful head cold? I can hardly breathe and planned to spend the day resting. Nothing like an impromptu home renovation/demolition to keep you on your toes.

I did manage to get the fabric birthday banner listed in my shop so I feel good about that, at least:

Here's hoping tomorrow is a better day!

New lab panel set

2009-06-12T19:12:00.002-05:00

I've been working with a wonderful buyer who ordered two sets of wall panels for her twins' nurseries. One is this lab set, which I just listed in the shop, and the other is a dachshund set which I plan to list later. I always love custom orders because they force me to create new products! Something I don't usually have time to do if I am not filling orders.

Sneak peek! Birthday banner

2009-06-10T22:04:00.005-05:00

For the past couple of nights I've been hard at work on a new birthday banner. Have a sneak peek! I think I posted previously about my love of fabric banners and I finally decided to get in the game. I spotted these adorable prints and after careful mixing & matching, decided on a 'where the wild things are' palette of oranges, greens, and brown animal prints:

I just discovered I will need to make a third trip to JoAnn tomorrow night for yet another attempt at the bias tape. Single fold, double fold... who knew there were so many (confusing) options for your bias tape needs.

Check the shop by the weekend to see the finished product. I plan to offer personalized banners, too!

New maltese onesie

2009-06-06T17:17:00.002-05:00

I've been meaning to get this little guy sewn and listed for quite some time. Introducing my new Maltese onesie:

I love this little floral pattern - too cute.

We're off to see The Hangover tonight. Hopefully it lives up to the reviews!

Kitty cat onesie set

2009-05-31T16:26:00.003-05:00

I will stop short of calling myself the crazy cat lady since I only have two, but I do love cats. My friend Loren had ordered a kitty cat onesie set for her soon-to-be new daughter so I decided to list it in the shop. I know I am biased, but it sure is cute!

Kitty cat onesie - You pick the fabric {$22}:

And just so the dog lovers don't have all the fun, check out this little set with a matching paw print on the seat of the pants {$30}:

More office chic sets

2009-05-31T14:27:00.004-05:00

Whew, I am officially done uploading the new office chic sets. Here are the rest of them:

New office chic sets

2009-05-30T23:23:00.003-05:00

I spied some new (and self-proclaimed "fancy") Amy Butler paper in the store the other day and have been a busy bee cranking out some new office chic sets today:

Andy's going to be out of town this week for my birthday so we had an early celebration over a delicious dinner at North this evening. I think it's officially my new favorite restaurant in Austin. The chicken lasagna is to die for and the tiramisu is unlike anything I've ever tasted. Not to mention the service.... it's dining perfection!

Ceramic delights

2009-05-28T10:20:00.002-05:00

I don't like Mondays (even when they're disguised as Wednesdays), but I am enjoying this Tuesday-turned-Thursday. I had so much fun with our good friends Trish & Jen this past weekend - what a pleasure to have a few days off of work with dear friends. We didn't do much but eat, drink and be merry (with a healthy helping of shopping).

One of the highlights of the weekend was our trip to Embellish Nail Salon & Boutique. What an adorable little nail spa experience!

Everything was so cute (and pink!) and we had a blast sipping our mimosas over manicures, pedicures, and good company.

So now it's back to reality and work, unfortunately. So while I pretend to pay attention to this conference call, enjoy some of my favorite ceramics from around Etsy:

Crazy Leg Wall Vase by Jodie Flowers ($40):

Single Owl Candlestick or Bud Vase a la Macrame by Laura Walls Taylor ($12):

Cream Toasted Marshmallow Texture Vase Trio by Judi Tavill ($38):

Mod Porcelain Vase--Turquoise and black and white by Shoshona Snow Ceramics ($30):

Gardener's Perfect Vase for Blooms - Robin's Egg Blue by Red Hot Pottery ($24):

Rainbow Volcano - Porcelain bud vase in lemon by Pigeon Toe Ceramics ($18):

Large Triple Dipper by Red Hot Pottery ($40):

Carved vase in white by Marymeestudio ($34):

Porcelain flower vase by Ning's Wonder World ($46):

Robin's Egg Blue Floral Vase by Red Hot Pottery ($28):

Jumbley coffee mug by d. hergt design ($24):

New burp cloth sets

2009-05-17T16:25:00.004-05:00

I love Sundays. It's the one day of the week I feel I can truly relax since I am not in a race against the post office. This morning I made breakfast and began some leisurely sewing on a couple of new burp cloth sets.

Burp cloth set in soft watercolor floral and pink garden trellis prints ($15):

Burp cloth set in turquoise zinnia and cherry polka dot prints ($15):

Packaged in my signature clear wrap with label and a bow!

I am so excited that our dear friends Trish & Jen are coming to visit for Memorial Day weekend... there's lots of planning and preparations to be done! Jen and I share a love of all things Martha but I think she's got me beat in the hospitality dept. She's quite a cook and an entertainer so the pressure is on! Actually, the best part about spending time with them is that there is no pressure whatsoever. We're all able to find pleasure in the little things so I look forward to a relaxing weekend with good friends, good food, and some fun times out on the town.

Animal Rescue - May/June Events

2009-05-16T16:10:00.002-05:00

BellaBlu designs is a proud sponsor of two Southern Cali animal rescue groups this month. I was contacted by two lovely volunteers from So Cal Bulldog Rescue and Southern California German Shepherd Rescue asking for donations for their upcoming silent auctions. I've been working hard this weekend on some cute little packages to send off and decided to create some Bulldog and German Shepherd business cards to include with my goodies:

I hope my items go for top dollar!

It's a rainy Saturday here in Austin and I've been working hard since I got up. I had several large orders this week (including some adorable shower favors) so am pleased to report everything is en route to anxious recipients across the country.

Don't forget to check out the BellaBlu designs virtual table in this month's Poppytalk Handmade market.

p.s. Thanks to Jan for including me in the Poppytalk blog on Friday!

Poppytalk Handmade

2009-05-11T11:52:00.002-05:00

I am so very excited to be a part of the May/June Poppytalk handmde market! The current theme is Paper Pops! - Papergoods and Art. Visit the virtual BellaBlu designs table and while you're there, check out all of the other talented artists and wonderful handmade goods. I'll be writing more later and will also link to the Poppytalk artist blog where I'll be dropping in with guest posts throughout the month.

Roy Lichtenstein

2009-05-04T21:22:00.008-05:00

I am a graduate of the Ohio State University Dept. of Art and still browse the website from time to time to see what great things they're up to (funny, I think the Internet was still just a twinkle in someone's eye when I was in college. Ah, the good ole low-tech days...).

Tonight I discovered an interesting passage from one of my fellow alumnus, Roy Lichtenstein, on the OSU art dept's home page. You may recognize Lichtenstein's pop art, which was heavily influenced by American advertising and comic book style:

Whaam! 1963, On display at Tate Modern in London

So here is the passage:

From the OSU website:
These words, penned in 1949 by our distinguished former student and colleague, Roy Lichtenstein, still evoke the essence what the making of art aspires to be. It also reminds us all of what is required of the people and place that provides the opportunity for creative exploration and artist fulfillment. Read more.

Pet Toys and Treats

2009-05-01T11:06:00.004-05:00

Happy Friday! I am thrilled this week is over and the weekend is upon us. I haven't been feeling well this week (no swine flu to report) but I am starting to feel better and look forward to a relaxing weekend.

Enjoy some handmade treats and toys for our favorite furry friends!

Peanut Butter Dog Cookies with Free Toy from cindi m h - $6.50 {Bonus! Proceeds benefit Best Friends Animal Society}:

Large Fleece Dog Tug Toy with Handle from Rescue Me Tugz - $5.50 {Bonus! Proceeds benefit Great Dane Rescue}:

Cat Toy, Catnip Dr. Seuss look from Sea Turtle Lover - $5:

Two Hand Knit Wooly Mice Cat Toys from Cattitude Creations - $10:

Tug-o-war Braid and Squeeker and Recycled Tennis Ball from Woof Purr Creations - $7:

Kit and Kat the Chocolate Cats from Tumus - $30:

Organic Catnip Bakery Grab Bag of 5 from Catzilla Crafts - $39:

Catnip Cat Toys Zoo Pal Monkey from BonvoyageCat- $7.65:

And how cute is this shop? The Modern Pet on Etsy:

Woodland Friend Organic Hemp Cat Toys - $10:

4 oz. Wild Caught Salmon Treats - $14:

Make your own dog collar kit (makes two kits) - $14:

TBIM {Too Bad It's Monday}

2009-04-27T15:15:00.002-05:00

Boo! It's rainy & yucky here in Austin - we've been under a tornado watch since early this morning. Not my favorite spring weather. Here are a few shower-inspired Etsy picks for this dreary Monday afternoon:

Little Baby Birdie with Umbrella by Cotton Candy Cuties:

Rainy Day by Lucky Bluebird:

Umbrella British Brolly print t-shirt by Happy Family:

Umbrella-and-pepermint-striped-purse by Folklore Designs:

Umbrella Series - No. 3 by Little Lottie Ladies:

Red Umbrella - Original Illustration by Carambatack Design:

Print - Flying Umbrellas by Roadside Projects:

New Birthday t-shirt

2009-04-26T20:03:00.002-05:00

Okay, be honest with me: How would the number 33 look on this shirt? Am I really too old? But it's so cute!

Raspberry Floral Birthday t-shirt - Customized with any number:

A friend's daughter is turning 1 in May and she's looking for a t-shirt to mark the occasion... party at school, party at home, etc. So I've been playing around with some designs and I landed on this one:

I know I am too old and too big to wear this to my next birthday soiree, but it sure was fun to make.

Crème Brûlée

2009-04-19T12:41:00.004-05:00

It's a lovely spring Sunday in Austin and I just enjoyed a delicious brunch with LL at Chez Zee. I have had lunch there several times but had never had their brunch - I highly recommend the Crème Brûlée french toast - delicious!

I've been working away on some more wall panels and just got this cute little rabbit listed in the shop:

I've got a lab and a pug ready to go so just need to sew + assemble. They're so fun to make but I've got a blister on my right ring finger from all of the stapling yesterday. I'm off to fashion a make-shift band-aid type apparatus so I can continue on with the construction. Oh, the dangers of crafting...

New wall hanging

2009-04-18T17:17:00.003-05:00

Happy weekend! It's been a long week and I am enjoying the downtime by filling orders and creating some new wall hangings to list in the shop. I started with this Frenchie panel - I just love the contrast of the linen with the fabric. It almost looks like it's stamped. Gorgeous.

I cheated a little by purchasing pre-stretched canvases that I then wrapped in this soft, natural linen:

Update: Just got a dachshund wall hanging listed as well:

Paper*Cake Finds

2009-04-14T20:33:00.005-05:00

Many thanks to Chelsea at Paper*Cake Finds for featuring my wiener dog onesie and burp cloth set today! What an adorable blog and I feel honored to be included in her "Let's Hear it For the Boys..." post.

Flower Power

2009-04-05T17:46:00.005-05:00

I was doing some online browsing for home decorating inspiration on Friday when I came across fellow Texan Jane Joss on Etsy. Not having much of a green thumb myself, I dig the idea of a fabric plant. Much classier than some of the bad fake plastic plants out there (one of which I finally removed from my mantle on Saturday and tossed - I don't miss you, Target bargain).

Check out her Sweet Leaves Potted Plants:

She's als got some gorgeous fabric branches like this set of three Sweet Leaves - I Heart You Twigs:

I'm not sure if she sews right over the stems to attach the leaves or how it's done - but they certainly are lovely!

And now more beautifully artificial flower power:

Bright Teal Lotus Ring from Fanciful Form:

Charcoal roses from Allen Company Inc:

Red and Blue Flower Garland from reallybadkitty:

Tangerine Flower Power from 2monkees:

Paper Flower cupcake toppers from Millalove

And look how cute Millalove's packaging is:

Cat tested...and approved

2009-04-04T20:24:00.005-05:00

My goodness, this has been a productive day. The 9:00 meeting I had planned with my attorney didn't pan out so I got to work bright & early finishing my Etsy orders for the day. After a quick trip to the post office and a potato and egg breakfast taco from Rudy's, I was ready to begin my marathon day. It's rare that I do not spend my entire Saturday sewing and/or printing so I was looking forward to catching up on some housework and various projects in preparation for our company next weekend. Andy is in Florida with his parents so I'm home alone and making good use of the time!

The last thing I usually feel like doing when I have some time on my hands is sewing. But since my quest for the perfect pre-made curtain panels turned up nothing, I decided I'd have to make my own. I was so tired of looking at my old curtains (which looked liked I had ripped off of someone's grandmother's wall... or maybe even a hotel?) that I actually didn't mind making them. I hadn't been to Interior Fabrics here in Austin in ages so I was pleased to find something modern and geometrical in the perfect shades of red (apparently called Demilio - Cosmo).

I snagged the coral pillow from Pottery Barn whilst on errand #47 of the day (did I mention I also went to Lowe's and bought ferns for the screen porch and geraniums for the front walk - all of which I replanted in new pots?).

I thought it was a cute little addition to the chair and a nice accent against the new curtains. It's kind of hard to see from the photo but they're little pearls sewn on there - really beautiful!

And finally, I was pleased to see that the curtain panels were cat tested mid-production... and approved. (Sidenote: Is he a fatty, or what? I don't care, I love him anyway)

Pet Projects

2009-04-01T19:53:00.003-05:00

Martha Stewart has added a new Pet section to her site and I am thrilled that she has included my onesies as one of her Pet Projects. Thanks, Martha!

Lots of cute items on her site and don't miss The Daily Wag written by her two Frenchies, Francesca and Sharkey. You may remember that they were the inspiration behind the French Bulldog silhouette that I made for Martha and that she used to make her onesie during my segment on the show.

New stationery

2009-03-29T21:28:00.002-05:00

Where, oh where, did the weekend go? I can't believe it's come to an end but I am so pleased to report that I spent the better part of today getting completely organized. All of my fabric is now conveniently stored in drawer bins by pattern and color. I finally ditched about 50 lbs of proposals and presentations I've been lugging around for nearly 7 years - samples from my days as a desktop publisher at KPMG in Atlanta. Don't get me wrong - they were beautiful accounting documents; I just think it's time to clean out and trim down my stash.

I've also decided I need to use some of my superfluous paper and fabric supply - especially the stuff I haven't touched in well over a year. It seems a shame to toss it so I decided to make some notecards from left over Amy Butler paper:

Set of six lined booklet notecards in Amy Butler paper ($7.50):

I had so much work to do this weekend but it's all done and I am ready to face the new week ahead. Last week was so busy with work meetings and some big year-end projects. For the first time since probably December my horizon is clear for catching up on some of those little "I'll-get-to-it-later" odds & ends.

I am also breathing a huge sigh of relief since I met with my CPA last Thursday evening to hand over all of my tax documents. I'm a little nervous to get word on the final damage but for now, it's all in the hands of a professional.

Polka lab

2009-03-20T18:18:00.001-05:00

Fun new polka dot lab! I've had this fabric for ages but haven't made anything out of it til today. Love it!

Spring has Sprung

2009-03-20T09:38:00.003-05:00

It's been the nicest, quietest week around the office (thank you, spring break!) and what better way to end it than with the beginning of Spring. This week Austin is hosting the world for our annual South by Southwest (SXSW for short) music, film and interactive festivals. The city is a buzz with celebrities, indie bands, and techno-junkies alike.

As I prepare to meet a friend for lunch and play hooky for the afternoon, enjoy some fresh spring finds from Etsy.

Clouds by Kathryn Knudsen:

Swirl posts, celery from Sofia Masri:

March No. 6 from Fernanimals:

Linen Pinafore (natural) from PamelaTang:

Linen and Lace Lovebirds from Cotton Bird Designs:

Polka Dot Camellia Custom Dog Collar from Pecan Pie Puppies:

Prickly Pear pin cushion from PrettyLilThings:

3 gift cards with vintage chairs and applique from LeiLiLaLoo:

Herb Garden Plant Markers - Mini - Nickel from Nina Gibson Designs:

Pastel Gingham Bunch. flower plushies (set of three) from La Pomme:

Everyone is Irish on March 17th

2009-03-17T15:27:00.003-05:00

As promised, here are a few of my favorite green items from both Irish and American Etsy sellers:

pillow slip - spider mum from yorktownroad:

Lime Green Chrysanthemum Earrings from Candy's Art:

Pear green mini scarf from Emily Sparks:

Irish Petite Pillow or Pinkeep from SugarAndSpice:

Paddy Bunting from redpossum:

Six Crochet Flowers in Blue and Green Shades from AnnieDesign:

Aventurine and Sterling Silver Wire Wrapped Stud Earrings from MariellesCrafts (I ordered these yesterday from this Irish seller and can't wait to receive them!):

Eat Your Greens. BUTTON MOON BLOOM. Wearable Art brooch MAXI from TanyaMac:

5 FELT Needle Felted Wool Acorns - Leaf Green from truLuxe:

Pinch me...

2009-03-17T10:01:00.005-05:00

Happy St. Paddy's Day, y'all!

All of the Irish hype is cause for reflection on my trip to Ireland last fall. Some of you may remember the blog my sister and I set up to document our trip - The Pink Shamrock. I was laughing to myself as I read through and remembered all of our adventures... and in turn posted this little ditty to KO's Facebook wall:

I'll be back with some of my favorite green finds later this morning but in the meantime, enjoy this snippet of Irish trivia:

Erin Go Bragh is the Anglicization of a Gaelic phrase used to express allegiance to Ireland. It is most often translated as "Ireland Forever", and pronounced /ˌɛrɪn gə ˈbrɔː/.

Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig), colloquially St. Paddy's Day or Paddy's Day, is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick (circa AD 385–461), one of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated on March 17.

The day is the national holiday of Ireland. It is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland and a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland and Montserrat. In Canada, Great Britain, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand, it is widely celebrated but is not an official holiday.

St. Patrick's Blue, not green, was the colour long-associated with St. Patrick. Green, the colour most widely associated with Ireland, with Irish people, and with St. Patrick's Day in modern times, may have gained its prominence through the phrase "the wearing of the green" meaning to wear a shamrock on one's clothing. At many times in Irish history, to do so was seen as a sign of Irish nationalism or loyalty to the Roman Catholic faith. St. Patrick used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish. The wearing of and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs have become a ubiquitous feature of the saint's holiday.The change to Ireland's association with green rather than blue probably began around the 1750's.

Hand drawn hilarity

2009-03-14T11:45:00.003-05:00

I recently stumbled upon Kelly is awesome's Etsy shop and her truly hilarious hand drawn 'Pop Princess Pigs.' The hilarity may be lost of some of you with more discerning musical taste but I laugh out loud every time I look at these. Enjoy!

Hand drawn with ink and water color on handmade paper. 3.5 x 5 inches. $15.

Rare Bird Finds

2009-03-13T10:49:00.004-05:00

I was so excited to awaken to a message from Amanda Toris at Rare Bird Finds notifying me I had been include on their lovely shopping blog. Amanda uncovers her favorite Pampered Pets finds for the blog and I am honored that my lab dog onesie and pant set in coral star paisley made the cut!

So what is a rare bird you ask? Well, according to their blog:

.......................................................................................................................................................................

Rara Avis (Latin) n. rare bird; a rare or unique person or thing.

Rare Bird Finds is your source for unique gift ideas.

No matter the shape, size, or category, we only pick items that are hidden gems. While no one pays to be featured, advertisements and sponsored posts are clearly marked, and we do use affiliate links now and then.

We hope you enjoy our finds as much as we do.

.......................................................................................................................................................................

This was such a delightful way to start a dreary, rainy Friday.

Soap & Glory

2009-03-10T22:13:00.002-05:00

Like every good red-blooded American woman, I love Target. I mean, I really, really love Target. I love their displays, their marketing, their presentation, the whole nine yards. I particularly love the fact that they carry a broad selection of Soap & Glory products. My friend Lindsey first got me hooked a few years ago when their line was only available at Barney's Co-op. It's now gone mainstream and I highly suggest you check it out if you haven't been already been lured in by their witty product names and sassy packaging (that's right, I said sassy).

I am addicted to their Clean On Me shower gel and this little number, The Scrub of your Life (it really is!):

I also like this Righteous Butter since it's very moisturizing but not too greasy. Brilliant! And the smell is to die for.

{Sorry, I'm in marketing... my life is a giant sell}

Go Speedracer, go!

2009-03-09T19:14:00.003-05:00

They say no good deed goes unpunished and I can add that no unnecessary shopping trip goes unpunished, either. I started my morning at the dentist for a cleaning and two itsy bitsy fillings. So small in fact they didn't even require needles or drills... my day was off to a great start! Since I finished sooner than expected at the dentist I decided to make a quick pitstop at Nordstrom before heading into work. I was feeling pretty good about my two purchases and as one of Austin's finest might argue, so good in fact that I was paying no attention to my speed. Sure enough I was pulled over for doing 42 in a 30 although the cop was nice enough to lower my speed to 40 on the ticket. Ugh, I drive Safely.com, here I come.

It's my friend Meredith's birthday on Thursday so I just ordered her this adorable shoe bag from Moon Garden Design:

Andy's out of town for the week so it's scrambled eggs for dinner and an evening of sewing. I feel jetlagged or off-kilter with the time change. Odd that it is light so late.

Happy Monday (and slow down, tickets are expensive!).

March give-away now closed

2009-03-08T21:51:00.003-05:00

Thanks to everyone who participated in my March give-away contest by commenting on my new Etsy shop banner!

I have the names & comments from all participants but I am missing a couple of email addresses. Just in case yours is one of them, please drop me an email at christy@bellabludesigns.com if you commented at any point over the past week. I want to be sure I have everyone's contact info.

Thanks!
Christy

Don't mess with Texas

2009-03-08T13:04:00.003-05:00

I've been working on an order for one of my friends from work and was inspired to create this little Lone Star creation. I am not originally from Texas but over the past 6.5 years of living here, have come to understand the state pride that is uniquely Texas.

State of Texas onesie and burpcloth set in Cowboy and Bandanna prints ($28):

I was thinking it would be cute to try some other states, too. But for now I am back to work on a few other items to complete this order.

Super model

2009-03-07T13:07:00.005-06:00

My friend Angela gave birth to the most adorable little guy in early February. Check out Baby Grayson in his BellaBlu onesie - made just for him with the likeness of his only sibling, mini schnauzer Stella. He's too cute!

Moon Garden Design: Shop Make-over

2009-03-06T22:11:00.005-06:00

A few months ago I mentioned that my mom-slash-sewing-guru started her own Etsy shop called Moon Garden Design. She sells the most beautiful shoe bags for traveling in style - super handy (and cute!) for stowing shoes in your suitcase. She's also got some travel laundry bags and various other sets, all of which make great gifts for mother's day, teachers, bridesmaids, etc.

Last weekend while I was working on the re-do of my shop banner, I gave her shop a facelift while I was at it. Check it out!

While you're there, browse the adorable shoe bags like this fully lined pink and celery bag - a steal at only $15!

Don't forget! Comment to win

2009-03-06T21:58:00.002-06:00

Don't forget that Saturday is the last day to comment to win any one item from my Etsy shop. I'll be drawing a winner at random on Sunday! There may be special prizes for the non-winners, too so don't miss out.

For no reason other than the fact that it's so darn cute, check out this green cupcake stand from Vessels and Wares:

My cake plate is one of my favorite things in my kitchen (even though it's rarely occupied with cake) and I am thinking it could use a little buddy like this one.

Become a fan of BellaBlu designs on Facebook!

2009-03-01T16:19:00.007-06:00

BellaBlu designs has officially taken the leap into Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/BellaBlu-designs/58231116015

Become a fan today!

New look! Comment and win the item of your choice from my shop!

2009-03-01T12:51:00.005-06:00

You may have read my online rant about a month ago when I had a total failure of my hard drive (total failure = total loss of data). I've been slowly re-building my new system and while it is a pain in the butt, I am also finding it cathartic to have to start over on some things. I am better organized -- a forced clean-out will do that to you! -- and I am reconsidering some of my identity. Last night I decided to swap out the banner in my Etsy shop as well as my avatar:

Take a look and let me know what you think! I'll leave the comments section of my blog open for the next week and with the help of random.org, will draw one winner next Sunday, 3/8. The lucky winner will have your choice of any one item from my Etsy shop (excluding invitations or party favors) - free of charge including shipping!

So let me know what you think and put your name in the hat for this special offer!

Mad for Plaid

2009-02-28T10:53:00.003-06:00

Happy weekend! I had a fabulous Friday at the AWT Austin Women in Business Conference yesterday. It was nice to be away from the office/computer for the day and I learned tons of great information around new technologies and tips for small business owners.

I am often asked how I started my business and how I learned how to put all of the pieces together. I really wish I had a well-planned answer to that but honestly, it's been rather serendipitous. On the back end of things, I started with a super friendly and helpful accountant (on the recommendation of a friend) who pointed me in the direction of an attorney and I worked out from there. It's all kind of overwhelming but I've found it helpful to bite it all off one piece at a time.

But on to the more fun things... I've been mad for plaid lately on my quest for more manly little baby fabrics. Last Sunday I posted the yellow lab in the red/yellow plaid and I also have the same print in this green/blue/cocoa scheme. How cute is this?

Dachshund onesie and burpcloth set ($28).

I'm off to fill orders ahead of the Saturday mail cut-off!

Sunday Lazy Sunday

2009-02-22T13:31:00.003-06:00

I was so proud of myself for waking up before 8:30 this morning but the celebration was short lived. After catching up on emails and PostSecret, I went back to bed for a cat nap and didn't get up til after 11. So much for my early start to the day.

Kirby Lane is our favorite weekend breakfast jaunt but the wait is usually at least 45 minutes. I couldn't be bothered to shower this morning so I decided to cook breakfast at home. And thanks to the Central Market green hatch chili salsa, it was muy delicioso. I love the chicken verde omelet at Kirby Lane but my scrambled eggs with salsa came close. I had to improvise with tater tots in lieu of home fries (don't worry, I thawed them and mashed up so as to create the appearance of hash browned potatoes - necessity is the mother of invention, right?).

So it was with a very full stomach that I sat down to work on some of the more gender-neutral designs I've had in production for a couple of weeks now. It's really difficult to find cute but boy-ish fabrics and I've learned that gender acceptability is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to fabric and baby clothes. I tend to be a bit more modern in my taste but to each his own... so I was thrilled to find a few new prints that I plan to get sewn and listed today.

So far I've finished this yellow lab onesie:

and the onesie and burpcloth set:

I think this print will be super cute on the golden retriever silhouette so as soon as I finish the other nine deisgns I have in production, I plan to get that listed as well.

I've got a big project going on at work tomorrow and Tuesday and will be thrilled when it's over. So for today I am going to enjoy my last bit of freedom and get sewing!

Austin craft scene is getting a little less funky

2009-02-16T22:10:00.003-06:00

I can't believe we've lived in Austin for nearly seven years now and I have to say, the city has undergone some serious changes since we first moved here. It's such a charming little city but it's sad to see some of the local businesses moving out to make room for larger chain stores. One of my most favorite little corners of Austin is a "funky fresh boutique set in Austin's hip SoCo neighborhood" called Craft-o-Rama. The owner Hayley Pannone was kind enough to help with some last minute fabric selections before my Martha appearance - She was a real life saver!

Hayley had a baby earlier this year and has decided to close her retail shop so she can spend more time with her new baby. It's sad to see such a fun sewing lounge close its doors and I hope there may a grand re-opening some day.

It looks like they plan to remain open through February so don't miss the final sales on fabric and other goodies.

Peace out, Domino

2009-02-16T22:04:00.002-06:00

Boo! I just learned that my only magazine subscription will no longer grace my mailbox. I'm probably one of the last to know, but Domino magazine has officially folded! Luckily I don't have much time to read so I have about 2 years worth of magazines sitting in a basket on my fireplace. I guess if I scratch the date off the covers I can pretend like they're new editions. After all, they're new to me!

Be My Valentine

2009-02-14T14:24:00.002-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day! I am pleased to report I picked up my newly refurbished laptop from the Apple store last night and she's good as new. (Unfortunately by "good as new" I mean a completely blank slate.) IT Data Recovery was unable to salvage any of my data* and confirmed the damage was beyond repair by anyone. So... I spent the better part of last night reloading fonts, software, updates, etc. The only positive in all of this (and I mean the only) is that they finally loaded Leopard onto my machine. I had ordered the upgrade back in Nov. 2007 but the disc Apple sent me was broken and I never bothered to ask for a new one. So while I'm trying to figure out Stacks, Spaces, and how to reconfigure my keyboard shortcuts back to a virtual landmine, enjoy one of my favorite new Etsy finds:

I can't remember how I stumbled across Accessoire but I am in love! I bought this rose red broach last week and it's so beautiful. It's a blood red felt flower and I got lots of compliments on it when I wore it to work last Friday. I put it on a fairly simple black sweater and it was a uniquely fun way to jazz up my outfit:

I decided to share the love with a friend from work and I bought her this Vixen pin:

I am hoping it arrives today so I can bring it to her on Monday!

We don't have any big Valentine's Day plans this evening and it's a chilly, gloomy day here in Austin. I think we're going to make dinner at home and lay low as usual. Hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day!

xoxo

*Another friendly reminder: Back up your data/hard drive!

New birthday cards

2009-02-07T18:09:00.003-06:00

Still no word on the ole laptop but I'm working away on my other machine and have managed to get completely caught up on orders. I'm working on some new greeting cards and just got this black lab birthday card listed in the shop. $2. More to come tomorrow and next week!

Cavalier Rescue USA

2009-01-31T10:02:00.003-06:00

Animal rescue is near and dear to my heart so I am pleased to announce that I'm supporting Cavalier Rescue USA this month. One of my fabulous shoppers from Kansas contacted me about this King Charles Spaniel rescue organization and I was happy to help. {Side note: love their logo!}

This little pup is Lady and she's available for adoption in Tucson, AZ. These are tough economic times for everyone but don't forget about our furry friends as you consider making your charitable donations in 2009.

When life gives you lemons...

2009-01-31T09:20:00.006-06:00

I pride myself on being a positive person but man, I have been tested lately. Between legal/business issues on the backend (which have been resolved, woo hoo!), the looming CPSIA legislature, and the death of beloved laptop and loss of all my data... it's been long, rough start to 2009. But I continue to remind myself of a quote by Maya Angelou: “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”

So score one for persistence because yesterday, by the grace of God, the CPSC granted a one year stay of testing and certification requirements for certain products. In a nutshell this means I will be able to continue to make children's products (that are known to not contain lead) without the looming fear of prosecution or incarceration.

"The action taken today provides breathing space to get in place some of the rules needed for implementation, but it should not be viewed as a full solution to the many problems that have been raised." —U.S. Consumer product Safety Commission

This is really great news for small business owners like myself who do not have the resources to pay for the testing/certification of children's clothing. I am also focusing on the 20% chance that some of my data may be recoverable from my laptop. It's still in the morgue but I got call from the IT guy at 5:30 last night who said he opened her up and the platter isn't completely scratched on the hard drive. He said success rate in this situation on this particular model is about 20% so I am going to take those odds. He's looking for a donor drive out there (essentially, my hard drive has mere days to live and it's on the top of the organ donor list; if they can find a match they can attempt to operate). So fingers crossed that things continue to look up next week...

Rotten Apple

2009-01-30T16:08:00.006-06:00

I love my computer more than any of my other material possessions. It's a black MacBook and it's been good to me for more than 14 months now. So you might imagine my disappointment when I got home from work on Wednesday to discover the image above staring back at me. If you can't imagine, I will try to describe the horror.

I got home from a long, stressful day at my "real job" and pressed the old spacebar key to wake 'er up for my second round of work. She didn't perk up the way she usually does and finally managed to spit out a white screen with a blinking file folder and giant question mark. A question mark is right!, I said to myself. Simultaneously I began to hear a rythmic clicking noise and despite a limited knowledge of computer hardware, I knew this was not good. The panic started to set in as I powered down and back up again. I booted up my other laptop and frantically began searching the Apple web site for their help number (whilst googling the file folder/question mark error message ... which is akin to searching Web MD when you have a headache and are experiencing a general state of malaise - you will close the brower knowing you have but mere hours to live).

I finally connected to an Apple service tech after sorting out my service warranty (grrr!). Now, I normally really appreciate Apple's laid-back/techy/Gen Y approach to service - I mean, they call themselves Geniuses! But on this particular evening, I was looking for someone to share my panic and sense of urgency. What I got instead was, as I could only imagine, a 22-year old sitting in a cube with a headset on, a beer in one hand, and a joint in the other. In his defense, he was somewhat knowledgeable as he walked me through a few unsuccessful rescue attempts. But the third time he casually dropped "no worries" throughout the conversation, I finally went into screaming banshee mode and replied, "I AM WORRIED! There are a lot of worries on this phone call!"

The soonest appointment I could get at the Apple Store was this morning and my Genius Will basically confirmed my worst nightmare in about 5 minutes: Total failure of the hard drive. He recommended a few data recovery services in town but just received the call that 'Ole Besse was D.O.A.; Recovery not possible.

Now I know what your next burning question is and I am going to go ahead and answer No, I did not have a back-up of my hard drive (it's a relatively new Apple; that was my back-up). So let me take this moment to gently remind you to back up your data if you do not regularly do so! I basically have to start from scratch with everything - all of my graphics files, programs, iTunes, photos, etc... all gone! Aaaarrrrrgh! Lesson learned!

Valentines are up

2009-01-18T16:39:00.002-06:00

I might have missed Christmas cards but I have managed to get a couple of Valentine's Day cards up in the shop. Check out the dachshunds and black labs. As always, they can be customized with any breed in any quantity.

New! Design your own stationery

2009-01-18T13:33:00.003-06:00

Now that the holiday rush has passed, I've had some time to design some new products for the shop. With the uncertainty of the impending Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), I've decided to focus on paper products until there is some resolution on whether I'll be able to continue to sell onesies and other children's products. Fingers crossed that all pans out, but in the meantime.... lovely new stationery!

The newest addition to the shop is "design your own {dog breed} stationery." Now completely customizable, you can pick your favorite dog breed, font, ink and envelope colors. So far I've listed black lab, chocolate lab, pug and dachshund designs. More to come as I work on taking photos and updating the shop on this beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Design your own dachshund personalized stationery - Set of 10 flat paneled cards ($18).

Sweet trailer!

2009-01-07T20:38:00.003-06:00

So I have to share this picture of my favorite Christmas present which happens to be from my sister Kathleen. It's an adorable little wooden camper trailer and it doubles as a bird house. How cute is this! I have been long fascinated with trailers and mobile lodging in general... so she saw this and immediately thought of me. When we were driving around Ireland this fall we made several stops so I could take pictures of various trailer parks (although none of them were as cute as this). I don't know what it is but I have always been fascinated by their portability and quirkiness. I think it's too cute to put outside so I'll have to find the right place to hang it somewhere in our house. (Pardon the mess in the photo; I'm crafting to serve you better)

Save handmade clothing and toys from the CPSIA

2009-01-06T10:11:00.005-06:00

I recently stumbled upon a very disturbing finding that could essentially put me out of the baby onesie making business. I am trying not to be too reactive until I have all of the facts, but wanted to make you aware of the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act which went into effect last year and will become enforceable starting February 9, 2009. More information follows but if you'd like your voice to be heard on this issue, you can vote here.

In 2007, large toy manufacturers who outsource their production to China and other developing countries violated the public's trust. They were selling toys with dangerously high lead content, toys with unsafe small parts, toys with improperly secured and easily swallowed small magnets, and toys made from chemicals that made kids sick. Almost every problem toy in 2007 was made in China.

The United States Congress rightly recognized that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) lacked the authority and staffing to prevent dangerous toys from being imported into the US. So, they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in August, 2008. Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in toys, mandates third-party testing and certification for all toys and requires toy makers to permanently label each toy with a date and batch number.

All of these changes will be fairly easy for large, multinational toy manufacturers to comply with. Large manufacturers who make thousands of units of each toy have very little incremental cost to pay for testing and updating their molds to include batch labels.
For small American, Canadian, and European toymakers, however, the costs of mandatory testing, to the tune of up to $4,000 per toy, will likely drive them out of business. And the handful of larger toy makers who still employ workers in the United States face increased costs to comply with the CPSIA, even though American-made toys had nothing to do with the toy safety problems of 2007. Toy makers won't be the only ones impacted by the CPSIA, the thousands of US businesses who offer clothing, jewelry and other gifts for children --in essence-- the entire children's industry will be as well.

The CPSIA simply forgot to exclude the class of toys that have earned and kept the public's trust. The result, unless the law is modified, is that handmade children's products will no longer be legal in the US.

Thriving small businesses are crucial to the financial health of our nation. Let's amend the CPSIA so that all businesses large and small are able to comply and survive!

Even cherries have the pits

2009-01-05T20:46:00.003-06:00

I so greatly enjoyed my time off of work for the past couple of weeks that the mere thought of waking up to an alarm had me tossing and turning all last night. Consequently, I got very little sleep and woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning (boo!). Going back to work was hard enough but going back on a few hours of sleep was torture. It was freezing cold and rainy today - very hard not to be grouchy.

But alas, the day is done and I just enjoyed some bing cherries and a melatonin. Tomorrow is a new day, afterall, and I hope to be well rested and ready to take it head on. And if my Buckeyes can swing a win tonight against my Longhorns, it'll be a very bright Tuesday.

2009-01-04T16:27:00.002-06:00

Today LL and I got together for brunch at La Madeleine and a noon showing of Slumdog Millionaire. The movie is brilliant! If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend. It felt a little slow moving in the beginning (although not painful) but it picked up and was utterly "rewarding without being opportunistic," as one review states. Definitely worth the two hours of my Sunday.

I can't believe it's back to work tomorrow. I wish I had another week off to enjoy the down time. I've been plugging away at orders - stationery and shower favors - and trying not to eat too much chocolate in the process. Darn these little candy favors...

Rompers and bibs

2009-01-02T16:51:00.004-06:00

I'm thrilled with some of the new products I've got coming to the shop this weekend and I've just listed one of them:

This sweet little light blue romper is a onesie/shorts combo and perfect for the summer weather. I've decided to list as "you-pick-the-fabric-and-dog-breed" and I hope it isn't too confusing (although you'd be surprised). I'd better get back to work so I can get the pink, green, and white rompers listed, as well.

Update: Just finished this bib and burp cloth set:

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T19:47:00.005-06:00

Okay, okay, so I've officially added "be a better blogger" to my list of New Year's resolutions. December was such a blur but I say that with sincere gratitude for all of my wonderful customers and supporters of BellaBlu designs. The exposure from the Bark Magazine gift guide combined with the holiday rush (not to mention my 'real job' and the typical holiday stress of shopping and traveling) left me with little time to think... or write. But as I reflect back I am so thankful for the success of my business and all of the wonderful people I've met and the opportunities that presented themselves in 2008. I am very excited for another year and I look forward for all that lies ahead.

We returned from Atlanta last weekend and I am happy to report that I have done little to nothing for the past few days. It feels wonderful! We got a new t.v. and a Wii so Andy has been pretty busy perfecting his inner guitar hero. I've been working on some new items for the Etsy shop and have decided to revamp a few of my listings for ease of ordering. Notably, I'll be moving all totes and many other sewn creations to a "You pick the fabrics" set-up. i.e., you will have the option to pick the fabric for the appliqué and in the case of the tote bags, the color of the bag handles, as well. I'll also be adding a few more breeds like the mini schnauzer and the chihuahua.

I'm off again tomorrow and plan to work on some new designs and updates to the shop. I'm all caught up on orders and hope to see a few movies before the weekend is over, as well. Hope everyone had a fabulous (and safe) New Year's Eve... we were sound asleep by 11:30 so missed all of the hoopla.

Design Envy: Elizabeth Soule

2008-12-10T19:13:00.002-06:00

I recently found Elizabeth Soule's etsy shop e.soule and was immediately taken by her beautiful photography. According to the Portland artist's website, she shoots with a Polaroid SX-70 and a variety of other film cameras. Her work is quirky, poetic, and completely gorgeous. I love her visual vocabulary of figurines, toys, food, and other inanimate objects.

Gnome print:

Horse 15 box:

Deer and Cupcake, print:

I have spent the past 30 minutes pouring over her work (which reminds me: I need to start pouring over my own!) and I can't seem to narrow down a favorite... I love them all.

The holiday rush is in full swing but knock on wood, I've managed to stay on top of everything and get everything out the door in about 3 days or less. I'd better get back to it before I fall behind.

Something new is growing in the garden

2008-12-09T18:41:00.003-06:00

There's a fun new shop on Etsy which just so happens to be owned and run by the very talented woman who taught me everything I know when it comes to sewing.... my mom! She's been making these super cute designer shoe bags and I cannot wait to place my Christmas orders through her new shop, Moon Garden Design. When she came to visit for Thanksgiving she brought her samples and I love all of the fabrics she's chosen. They're very well made (meticulous attention to detail) and fully lined in coordinating fabric.

Now I know I am a little biased and all but these bags are precious (and did I mention well made?). She's just getting started and in the process of setting up shop. But check back often as she adds new designs in the latest designer fabrics. Great gifts!

BellaBlu designs: Bark Editors' Pick!

2008-12-01T18:52:00.006-06:00

Today the super cool dog mag The Bark released it's list of Editors' Picks: 60 Great Gifts Under $20 and I am honored that they included my personalized dog notecards!

From the gift guide:

Delightful, Delectable, Delovely! Gift ideas, $20 and under. From small specialty companies to those crafty folks at Etsy.com, we searched far and wide for whimsy, quality, creativity and affordability. Here are more than 60 of our favorites, just in time for holiday gift-giving.

Check it out -- Happy shopping!

Gobble Gobble.... I'm full!

2008-11-28T15:04:00.005-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving! We had the nicest, most relaxing day yesterday, just Andy, my mom and me. We cooked for most of the morning (and by "we" I mean mom) and ate around 3:30-ish. After our feast we rolled ourselves to Town Lake (aka, Lady Bird Lake) in downtown Austin and walked the 3 mile loop just before it got dark. It was nice to get out of the house and get moving after so much eating.

We didn't venture out to do any door-busting shopping last night/early this morning but mom and I did take a trip to Jo-Ann for a few supplies and they were having an insane sale. Just about everything in the store was 50% off and then it was 20% off your total order. So we stocked up on some necessities and now we're working on some odds-n-ends projects around the house. Mom is painting the bathroom that was driving me crazy (pick your paint sheen/finish very carefully!) and I've been hanging pictures:

Shortly after I returned from Ireland I had several enlargements made and framed them in good 'ol Ikea Ribba frames. I've been meaning to hang them for nearly 2 months now and I finally made myself take the time to hang this collage down our hallway. I'm pleased with the way it turned out (and am glad it's done!).

We've been talking about the possibility of going to a movie tonight but not sure what the plan is. I think it's safe to say we don't need to eat...

Discover Edge - Take Charge Guide

2008-11-21T20:57:00.003-06:00

A few months ago I was contacted by Dana Dratch, a writer for Discover Edge magazine, who interviewed me about how I turned my hobby into a side business. The article is now online and I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out.

Deck the tree

2008-11-21T09:34:00.003-06:00

Today is our office Thanksgiving potluck and to mark the occasion, we're decking our halls with Christmas decorations. I can't believe the holidays are here (especially since it still feels like summer in Austin) but I am going to take some advice I heard recently and "accept it: the holidays are here; just get over it." My mom arrives on Tuesday for Thanksgiving and I think we'll put our tree up while she's here. So I've been looking on Etsy for some fun ornaments and here are a few of my favorites:

Vintage typewriter key Christmas ornament from Joy's Jewels:

Peace dove ornament - Picasso inspired by ooshkapah: good things:

Winter Robin bauble by SnowFish:

Christmas Tree Ornament - Evergreen tree by JMDAY (another Austin seller):

And last but not least, Owly Ornament Set of Three by Needlings (I love this shop!):

I wish I were one of those people who collected unique little interesting ornaments from my travels but unfortunately, I am one of those people who goes to Michael's and buys boxes of plain old frosted glass ornaments. Last year I did a fun pink and orange theme which actually turned out a lot more elegant than I had imagined.

Pugs!

2008-11-17T20:57:00.002-06:00

I was just contacted by Starla of Curious Mess on Etsy who let me know she included me in this darling treasury all about pugs! I feel honored to be featured among such adorable pug items!

Glory Four

2008-11-13T20:51:00.006-06:00

Today is our 4th wedding anniversary and I've been enjoying a trip down memory lane. We got married in Roswell, GA, a suburb of Atlanta, and the day could not have been more perfect. The best part was being surrounded by all of our dear friends and family.

It was a lively celebration to say the least and a day I will not soon forget. One of my more vivid memories is hand sewing more than 100 invitations out of chocolate brown dupioni silk.... everyone thought I was crazy but lord have mercy, they were beautiful.

Our colors were brown and rust for fall so everything followed suit - including our favors. Each guest got a bottle of dried rosemary, some recipe cards, and a note explaining the significance of rosemary as a symbol of love and remembrance.

We welcomed guests at the hotel with "We're Glad Georgia's on your Mind" themed baskets. Each basket included peanuts, bottles of coca-cola, fruit, candies, bottled water (of course I made my own coordinating labels), and a CD of some of our favorite tunes from Georgia musicians.

Our guests sent us off in style with these coordinating bird seed packets:

It was all so much fun to plan and I had a blast creating all of the individual elements. I can't believe it's been four years!

Super duper Cooper

2008-11-12T16:24:00.003-06:00

My friend Jen just posted pics of her new puppy Cooper and he's just too cute not to share. He's a mini doxie and I can't wait to meet him next 4th of July!

Fun new fabrics

2008-11-09T11:58:00.003-06:00

If we should learn of the end of the world, I am pretty sure I have enough fabric to fashion some sort of a life saving apparatus... I've got us covered. But every now and again I allow myself to give in and order some fun new prints. I had a request for a yellow lab tshirt so while I was ordering some of Heather Bailey's swirly bud fabric in yellow, I picked up a couple more prints from Anna Maria Horner and Alexander Henry. This polka line fabric from Anna Maria Horner is just too cute! I am always looking for more gender neutral prints and this one is simply adorable:

I'm working on a few orders for custom Christmas cards and I am so excited that I finally figured out how to print on 11x17 on my printer. I had no problems before I got my new MacBook last October but the new configurations were a little tricky.
This is good news because it means I can bring back the accordion fold cards, announcements, and invites:

So watch for these in my shop over the next few weeks!

Go speedracer, go!

2008-11-02T10:18:00.005-06:00

I am so relieved last week is over but I am happy to report that my big work event went off without a hitch on Thursday & Friday. We were up in Ft. Worth for a two-day program which wrapped with a driving event sponsored by Porsche. They let our group of 40 people spend 4 hours test driving the new Porsche 911 on a series of road courses at a private MotoSport country club outside of Ft. Worth.

And I might I just add that this was one of the most fun things I've ever done! I was actually pretty nervous/apprehensive to get into a $100K car and take off on a race track with minimal instruction and no supervision. But once we got going, there was no stopping us. It was really and truly an incredible experience that I will not soon forget. I am hardly a car enthusiast but let me tell you, if I ever find a spare $100K laying around, I might consider my need for speed.

I am so happy to be home! I've been working so hard on this program since last spring and I am just so relieved it was a total success with only a few minor glitches along the way. I've been enjoying the weekend but still a little sore that I missed Halloween. Hope everyone had loads of fun!

Design Envy: Caroline Gardner

2008-11-01T14:02:00.010-05:00

I first discovered Caroline Gardner's work at Avoca in Ireland and was instantly drawn to her whimsical take on modern sophistication. This British designer is able to blend assorted graphic typefaces with fun and quirky illustrations in a style that is all her own.

I received an email promotion from Caroline Gardner Publishing this week and it reminded me to go spend some more time on her site. In addition to her lovely cards, I found some fun dog collars and leashes:

Caroline's boxed letterpress cards are so beautiful:

Caroline Gardner offers online shopping but note that all prices are in British pounds (a little pricey at the moment!). Be sure to check out her site, even if just for some virtual window shopping.

The light at the end of the tunnel

2008-10-28T18:41:00.005-05:00

I have been so preoccupied lately with a big work event that's coming up this Thursday and Friday in Ft. Worth. I've been working on this program since April and I can't believe it will all be over on Friday -- I couldn't be more thrilled! All of the details are falling into place and I feel good heading into the last 24 hours of madness.

...So I've been a little distracted and slow to post. But I am happy to share with you a lovely new blog from "a creative girl in love with fashion & interiors." My friend Kim sent me a link to CreateGirl, which is written by the very talented Julieann of Jace Interiors. Julieann was kind enough to blog about my wiener dog onesie when she was a guest blogger on Decor8 back in August. And now I am pleased to share with you her wonderful design blog.

I look forward to Saturday when this whole event/program is behind me. Just in time for the holiday madness! (note to self: get Christmas cards listed in the shop!)